What is the term for invasion and growth of a disease-causing microorganism in the human body?

A few harmful microbes, for example less than 1% of bacteria, can invade our body (the host) and make us ill. Microbes cause infectious diseases such as flu and measles.

There is also strong evidence that microbes may contribute to many non–infectious chronic diseases such as some forms of cancer and coronary heart disease. Different diseases are caused by different types of micro-organisms. Microbes that cause disease are called pathogens.

It is important to remember that:

• A pathogen is a micro-organism that has the potential to cause disease.
• An infection is the invasion and multiplication of pathogenic microbes in an individual or population.
• Disease is when the infection causes damage to the individual’s vital functions or systems.
• An infection does not always result in disease!

To cause an infection, microbes must enter our bodies. The site at which they enter is known as the portal of entry.

Microbes can enter the body through the four sites listed below:

• Respiratory tract (mouth and nose) e.g. influenza virus which causes the flu.
• Gastrointestinal tract (mouth oral cavity) e.g. Vibrio cholerae which causes cholera.
• Urogenital tract e.g. Escherichia coli which causes cystitis.
• Breaks in the skin surface e.g. Clostridium tetani which causes tetanus.

To make us ill microbes have to:

• reach their target site in the body;
• attach to the target site they are trying to infect so that they are not dislodged;
• multiply rapidly;
• obtain their nutrients from the host;
• avoid and survive attack by the host’s immune system.

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  Immune system

  An infection can be seen as a battle between the invading pathogens and host. How does the immune system work?

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  Routes of transmission

  Find out how you can pick up germs and pass them on to others.

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  Vaccination

  Just a shot in the arm – what do vaccines do?

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  Antibiotics

  Antibiotics are powerful medicines that only fight bacterial infections.

What is the term for invasion and growth of a microorganism?

What term refers to the invasion of a microorganism causing disease?

What human diseases are caused by microorganisms?

What is the term for infection control measures that use barrier protection and work practice control to prevent contact with infectious body fluids from all patients?